Built in New York State by the Brunner-Winkle Aircraft Corporation, the Bird biplane began as another of those designs originally powered by a war surplus Curtiss OX-5 engine (scrapped from a Curtiss Jenny). When the supply of these engines dwindled, it was later produced with more powerful and reliable radial engines. There were several different versions of this aircraft that did not reach production, such as the two-place, side-by-side Speed Bird (the prototype of which has since been restored and flown) and an enclosed-cabin variation. The open-cockpit, three-place Bird Model BK, with its large top wing, was an excellent short-field aircraft with predictable flying characteristics. Used widely for dual instruction and barnstorming, it was an extremely safe design with a very slow landing speed…. comforting features at a time when engines were not too reliable. The most commonly seen Birds at airshows and fly-ins are those powered by five-cylinder Kinner engines.
